In a powerful address at the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership ceremony in Lagos, African Development Bank (AfDB) President Akinwumi Adesina emphasized that the future of Nigerian youths should be firmly rooted in Africa, not in Europe, North America, or elsewhere.
Adesina, who received the prestigious award, highlighted the importance of keeping Nigeria’s best human capital at home to foster sustainable development. “I refuse to believe that the future of Nigeria’s and Africa’s youths lie in Europe, North America, Asia, or anywhere else. I believe that their future must lie in Africa,” he declared.
The event was graced by prominent African leaders, including Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, Togo’s Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah Dogbé, and Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Adesina addressed the “Japa” phenomenon, where Nigerian youths are migrating in large numbers to seek better economic opportunities abroad. He argued that while the diaspora sends back billions in remittances, this is not a sustainable path to development. “Nations that develop do all they can to keep their best human capital at home,” he stressed.
To counteract this trend, Adesina announced the launch of a $614 million programme by the AfDB to support Nigeria’s digital and creative enterprises. This initiative aims to create 6.3 million jobs and inject N6.4 billion into the economy. Additionally, the AfDB plans to establish the Youths Entrepreneurship Investment Bank, dedicated to addressing the financial needs of young people across Africa.
Adesina’s vision is to transform Nigeria and Africa into thriving hubs where young people can find quality jobs and decent earnings. “Let’s take pride in ourselves and make our demographic asset our economic asset globally,” he urged.
The event also saw commendations from distinguished personalities such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, who praised Adesina as a deserving recipient of the award. Past honorees of the award include Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, former South African President Thabo Mbeki, and legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola.
Other notable attendees included former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as state governors and dignitaries from various sectors.
Adesina’s call to action is a clarion call for Nigerian and African leaders to create an environment where the continent’s youth can thrive, ultimately ensuring that their future is built and secured within Africa.
